AmNov.r;i89iann'}       Poisonous  Constituents  of  Timbd.  543 
Apocodeine  is  insoluble  in  water;  the  hydrochlorate  is  freely 
soluble.  It  is  not  crystallizable  like  the  hydrochlorate  of  apo- 
morphine,  but  is  more  stable  and  more  easily  made. 
Dujardin-Beaumetz  has  described  it  as  possessing  the  therapeutic 
properties  of  apomorphine  in  a  modified  degree,  and  Dr.  Murrell's 
experiments  lead  him  to  a  similar  conclusion. 
After  ^  of  a  grain  injected  subcutaneously  in  a  chronic  bron- 
chitic  patient  neither  sickness  nor  vomiting  followed,  but  copious 
expectoration  was  produced.  In  another  case  half  a  grain  sub- 
cutaneously did  not  cause  sickness.  Legg  found  great  irritation 
follow  its  subcutaneous  use.  Dr.  Murrell  does  not  find  this  where  a 
neutral  solution  is  used. 
Dr.  Murrell  has  also  administered  hydrochlorate  of  apocodeine 
by  the  mouth  as  an  expectorant  in  six  cases  with  satisfactory  results. 
In  only  one  case  did  it  cause  sickness.  It  may  be  given  in  solution 
or  as  a  pill.    Three  or  four  grains  daily  may  be  safely  given. 
POISONOUS  CONSTITUENTS  OF  "  TIMBO." 1 
By  F.  Pfaff. 
Timbb  is  the  name  given  in  Brazil  to  several  plants  such  as 
Serjania  cuspidata,  St.  H.,  Serjania  lethalis,  and  Paullmia  pinnata 
of  the  order  Sapindacye,  and  Tephrosia  toxicaria  and  Physalis  hetero- 
phylla  of  the  order  Leguminosse,  all  of  which  are  used  for  the  pur- 
pose of  stupefying  fish.  A  decoction  of  the  root  is  preferred  as 
affording  the  more  powerful  poison.  The  material  collected  by  the 
author  consisted  of  root  and  branches,  without  flower  or  fruit,  and 
could  only  be  identified  as  coming  from  a  leguminous  plant.  To 
isolate  the  active  principle,  an  alcoholic  extract  of  the  plant  was 
concentrated,  washed  with  water,  treated  with  ether,  and  the  dark 
colored  ethereal  solution  decolorized  by  means  of  sodium  carbonate 
and  dilute  soda  solution.  After  removing  the  ether  and  drying 
over  sulphuric  acid,,  solid  crude  timboi'n  was  obtained,  which 
softened  when  exposed  to  the  air.  A  similar  product  was  obtained 
by  precipitating  the  alcoholic  extract  with  lead  acetate,  and  purify- 
ing the  filtrate.  Further  treatment  of  the  crude  product  with  alco- 
hol, light  petroleum,  and  benzene  or  chloroform  at  length  yielded  a 
hard,  yellowish-white,  sandy  substance,  which,  under  the  microscope, 
clearly  indicates  crystalline  structure.    Timboin,  C27H2608,  melts  at 
1  Arch.  Pharm.,  229,  31-48;  Jour.  Chem.  Soc,  Aug.,  1891. 
